Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Nevada Sees 52 Students Graduate At Commencement

A total of 52 young men and women received their high school diplomas from Nevada High School Thursday night, May 14.

They took their next largest step before an overflow crowd in the NHS gymnasium, as family and friends gathered to wish them well on their life's journey.

Hardy Herrington, NHS principal, welcomed those on hand for the commencement exercises, asking them, unsuccessfully, to refrain from shouting until the ceremony was over.

"Graduation," he said, "is a solemn occasion and the board of education and administration request your help in restoring honor and dignity to it."

The honor address was given by Tamla Allen, who reminded everyone on hand the district was formed 10 years ago when five smaller school districts consolidated to form the Nevada district.

Nevada, she said, has always had a reputation of academic excellence with many of the graduates going on to excel in their lives. "This class is no exception," she continued. "I'm sure we will succeed and do well in our lives."

Allen collectively thanked the parents and teachers for the efforts they put forth in helping the students achieve this milestone in their lives.

Parents were officially recognized by Jay Rhodes, who expressed the class's gratitude and thanks for the love and support the children received during their formative years. "The greatest gift in our lives," he said, "has been our loving parents."

The class farewell was given by Amber Glass, who said nine years ago, when this group was in the third grade going to a new school, everyone was scared.

They were afraid of losing the friends they had made in the other schools, but wound up making new friends. "Friendship," she said, "never truly dies. It's always in our hearts and memories."

It's time for the next stage of our lives, she continued, saying the graduates must continue to challenge themselves and never forget the accomplishments they made while at Nevada High, while always striving to be their best.

Nevada Superintendent Rick McAffee gave the administration's address as well as introducing the guest speaker of the night.

He said it seemed like only yesterday, but nine years has passed since he was the elementary counselor at Nevada.

McAffee recalled the shared experiences the graduating students had at the school. "Fifty dedicated people helped educate this group," he said, thanking them for the work, adding they did a wonderful job in preparing them for what lies before them in life.

"The class of '98 have challenges," he said, "in the world out there. They are looking through unclouded eyes and will accept these challenges not thought of now, knowing they must find the solutions to the problems.

"They will make a difference. I thank them for sharing their lives with me for the last nine years. They will do great things, go forward and make a difference."

He then introduced State Sen. Mike Ross, who wished the district a happy 10th anniversary.

The graduating class, he said, began their educational career at Nevada in the third grade and have been provided a good education in a quality school with nice facilities.

A lot has happened in Arkansas history, he said, since they were in the third grade. First, the state now has term limits for its elected officials.

A governor from the state was elected president of the United States (twice), another governor was charged and convicted as a felon, while Arkansas also saw the third Republican governor lead the state since Reconstruction.

He gave the graduates three basic concepts to live their lives by education, creativity and perseverance.

"As graduation," he said, "is an important event, you reach a milestone; an accomplishment shared by too few. One in five students do not graduate from high school. You need to take a moment and thank those who helped you along the way."

In years past, he said, Arkansas competed with Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi for jobs. Today, however, the state must compete on a global level for employment.

"In less than two years," Ross said, "it will be the year 2000, and we will be forced to be even more competitive as an individuals and a nation. Educating people is the only method by which we can hope to succeed."

He encouraged the graduates to cultivate and use their creativity, to try new things and make the world better.

He said they need to rely on their judgement and use common sense in solving life problems. "Dare to try something new," he said, urging them not to be afraid to dream or fail.

The graduates, Ross said need to set their goals and work toward them. Hard work and determination will pay off.

Success, he said is too heavily emphasized, and we must accept failure as a process of growing and learning.

Once Ross finished his speech, the graduating class was presented their diplomas, with the honor graduates wearing gold tassels and the rest with silver tassels.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the students broke with tradition and did not throw their mortar boards into the air, instead filing out in an orderly fashion and greeting their family and friends.